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Jackie Bradley Jr., John Farrell have talks in Bradley's likely last days with team for moment; David Ortiz still set for Friday

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is introduced during home opening day ceremonies at Fenway Park in Boston, Monday, April 8, 2013 prior to a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

CLEVELAND — Jackie Bradley Jr. sat out of the Red Sox lineup for a second straight game Wednesday, and he's gone hitless in his last 20 at-bats. He's still seeing more pitches per plate appearance than anyone on the team, 4.18, but the lack of hits will hurt any player's confidence.

Bradley Jr.'s time with the Red Sox certainly appears short, perhaps two more games, including Wednesday night's. David Ortiz looks like he'll be ready for a return on Friday at Fenway Park, and Bradley Jr. is likely to be optioned.

If that ends up being the case, Bradley Jr. won't be told ahead of time.

"No. We haven't given -- we haven't said, 'When A happens, B is going to happen,'" Farrell said. "That's like inviting him to a place and then asking, 'When are you going to leave?'"

But Farrell and Bradley Jr. have had some sit-downs. Bradley Jr.'s a mature 22-year-old — 23 in two days, the same day Ortiz is supposed to return — and Farrell likes how the rookie has handled adversity.

"We've had a recent sit-down, and not the first one and certainly not the last one," Farrell said. "The normal conversations you would have with guys, depending on where they find themselves."

Why did Farrell feel the need to talk Bradley Jr.?

"It's not just from a read of body language or expression," Farrell said. "That's where these sit-down conversations become important, just to get a sense of where he's at mentally, what he's feeling at the plate. You have the give and take of what you see versus what he feels. Most importantly, to know that we're here with him, we're here working with him and supporting him. That's the overall tone of that."

Batting .097, Bradley Jr.'s done work in the cage. The Sox know the most important thing for him is to play, and clearly, that opportunity's already shrank for him up top.

Said Farrell: "It's a balance with making sure a young player doesn't go too long without playing and yet put our most productive lineup on the field."